Chair of Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority’s (RHA) Board of Directors, Diane Kelly, has announced that Ron Van Denakker has been appointed acting chief executive officer to provide bridging leadership until the Board hires a replacement for departing chief executive officer John Stinson. Stinson has accepted the position of chief executive officer with the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation beginning mid-February 2015.

“Ron’s experience, his understanding of Interlake-Eastern RHA and our communities as well as his relationships with the senior leadership team and other staff members will serve us well as we move through the CEO recruitment period over the coming months,” Kelly said.

In addition to his new duties, Van Denakker will maintain his current position of vice president corporate services & chief administrative officer (East) with Interlake-Eastern RHA. He has invested over 30 years in health care, starting work as a radiographer and quickly moving into leadership positions that include technical director of the diagnostic imaging program and administrative director of the child health program with the Winnipeg RHA. He then became vice president of business development at Seven Oaks Hospital as well as the executive director of the Wellness Institute. Prior to the merger, Van Denakker was chief executive officer of former North Eastman Health Association.

His focus while acting chief executive officer will be the continued development of community relationships that is a primary directive from the RHA’s board.

“We’ve developed some excellent working relationships over the past three years and we are committed to keeping our communities at the table as we work towards more sustainable health care. My first priority will be discussions with community leaders across the RHA. We’re very clearly moving in a good direction in terms of addressing the challenges of rural health care and we will be staying the course,” Van Denakker said.

Van Denakker has an undergraduate degree in design and a post graduation degree in health care administration as well as diplomas in radiography, ultrasound and hospital administration.

In his role as acting chief executive officer, he will work closely with Stinson who will provide a supporting role until his departure from Interlake-Eastern RHA on February 13.